Thanks to the philanthropic efforts of Fundación Comunitaria de Puerto Rico, the Toro Negro community in Ciale is emerging as a model of energy independence and making its mark on the world.
CIALES, March 16, 2019 | The Community Black Bull received a visit from representatives of the U.S. Government’s Natural Resources Committee. Led by Congressman Raúl Grijalva, the visit was part of a series of meetings the group is holding to learn firsthand about the island’s current situation, providing the Toro Negro community in Ciales the opportunity to present the energy self-sufficiency model developed in collaboration with Fundación Comunitaria de Puerto Rico (FCPR) and Somos Solar.
During the community tour, the group of congress members was able to appreciate the energy infrastructure by visiting several important sites. They were able to appreciate the great pride of the community and their full understanding of the newly created infrastructure and the ongoing processes. They brought to the group's attention the importance of the community actively participating in the design and construction of the system.
“It is important that we take on shared risks— both at the local and federal levels—so that, together with philanthropic investment, we can continue to promote energy communities,“ said the president of FCPR, Dr. Nelson I. Colón Tarrats.
The visit serves to raise the profile of the self-management project, which has already been featured in the media in Puerto Rico and the United States and has earned them recognition as finalists in the Microgrid Greater Good Awards 2019, event will take place during the Microgrid 2019: Shaping the New Electric Grid, From May 14th to 16th in San Diego, California, Opportunity presents Black Bull as an important model in the world of microgrids globally.
“This project is managed, administered, and handled by the Toro Negro community. The community built the underground infrastructure, which imparts a greater sense of ownership in what we have built,” stated the president of the Toro Negro Community, José “Tito" Figueroa.
The project involved approximately 4 months of infrastructure development and comprises 20 microgrids, which make up the solar community that provides power to 28 homes in the community. With an 83 KWPV system and 116 KWH of battery storage, the community is an example of what can be achieved with determination and the support of philanthropic organizations such as Comunitaria de Puerto Rico and Somos Solar, as well as other institutions like Para La Naturaleza and Duke University.
Congressman Grijalva stated, “This is an important model that we wanted to see and understand. The most important thing is the community and its pride in what they have built.”.
About the FCPR:
The FCPR is a nonprofit organization that, for more than 32 years, has advised individuals, families, corporations, and foundations both on and off the island on how to channel their philanthropic efforts. The goal of this guidance is to ensure that donors’ contributions have an impact on the self-development of Puerto Ricans. In addition, FCPR has a program area dedicated to annual projects that address the current needs of our communities. FCPR is the first foundation of its kind in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, and today the only one in Puerto Rico.